OBITUARY

Stephen DuBravac

November 6, 1944 – February 27, 2013

Stephen Eugene DuBravac was born on 6 November 1944 in Reno, Nevada and on a good roll of the dice, was immediately received by a grateful and loving family and given their names: Stephen R DuBravac and Eugenie (Jackson) DuBravac--a mining engineer and school teacher, respectively. The family later moved to Henderson, Nevada, where he was educated in a Catholic grade school and played baseball in the Mojave Desert. DuBravac attended The New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, NM from 1959 until 1964. He met his best friend, Aleithe Olcott at the then College of Southern Utah in Cedar City, and they were married in her hometown of Richfield, Utah in March of 1968.

Following college, he was commissioned as an Armor officer in the United States Army and assigned to an armored cavalry unit. He served in command and staff positions from platoon to Headquarters, Department of the Army. DuBravac retired after serving 25 years having defended his country on three continents, serving in two hot wars, and one cold war. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, including one with distinction for valor, and the Purple Heart, as well as various other medals and citations, but he valued, above all, the soldiers with whom he served.

He was a platoon leader and troop executive officer with the 11th Armored Cavalry in the Republic of Viet Nam from 1969-1970 where he was decorated for valor. During this tour of duty DuBravac responded to an Army request for continued service by checking the "YES" box on a post card and returning it to the Department of the Army. He was promoted to Captain in 1970 before leaving RVN. Following command of a company and the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, DuBravac commanded C Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Armor (Bandits), 3d Armored Division, Ray Barracks, Friedberg, Germany from 1972 until 1973. His command became the first tank company to qualify "All 17" tanks with distinct crews in Europe in a decade. He was then selected to be the battalion operations officer (S3) where he established programs that would be used to train soldiers for subsequent years.

As a tactics instructor at Fort Benning, GA--The Home of Infantry, from 1975-1977, DuBravac successfully challenged his colleagues and students to embrace the labels and procedures for innovative tactical and operational procedures for Army combat units. Returning to Germany in 1977, DuBravac was assigned as a staff officer for the G3 at Headquarters, 3d Armored Division in Frankfurt and conducted division training exercises throughout Germany and in concert with NATO units. Promoted to Major in December 1978, DuBravac became the operations officer of the 3d Battalion, 33d Armor Regiment (Pickles), Kirchgoens, (The Rock), Germany. The life of the M60A2 tank bracketed DuBravac's service in Europe: He was the S3 for the first battalion to receive and the last battalion to have the M60A2 Main Battle Tank for defense of NATO.

DuBravac was selected to attend USACGS at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1983 and in 1984 took a staff position in the War Plans Division of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, The Pentagon, Washington, DC. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1985 and as he considered retirement in 1988, DuBravac was asked to take the position of executive officer for the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. After considering the decision for 30 seconds, DuBravac moved his family to El Paso, Texas, in 1988, and then departed multiple times for unit training at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; REFORGER exercises in Germany (including the last full equipment deployment from the US to Germany in 1988) and Holland; and, unit deployment in support of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia.

DuBravac retired in July, 2010 to spend his free time traveling the country visiting his children and grandchildren and serving dutifully as a full-time baseball fan. He put down his tools of life on February 27th, 2013 at the age of 68.

DuBravac is preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren and is survived by his best friend of over 45 years, Aleithe, and four children: Stephen (Gayle), Stayc (Christina), Shawn (Andrea), and Shalee (Jeremy); and twelve grandchildren. He was a true patriarch and a generous and protective husband, father, and grandfather. He was one of the world's great patriots who will be sorely missed by those who knew him and those he served.

Visitation will be held at Demaine Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA, Monday, March 4, 2013, 5PM to 7PM. Stephen E. DuBravac will be interned with full military honors on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in DuBravac's name to the National Museum of the United States Army.

REMEMBERING

Stephen DuBravac

I served with him in G3 at Headquarters, 3AD from 1977 to 1980. He was one of my favorite officers, with a great and wry sense of humor. I just read of his passing on the Third Armored site, and was very sorry to hear it.Sincerely, Dave Shoup

Bill Matthews

April 7, 2013

To Steve's family,Steve was my best friend in Viet Nam. We were platoon leaders together in G Troop. I have several photos of him from Viet Nam and many good memories of the times we had. After our tours, we never saw each other again, but I always looked for his name on promotion and command lists and I always cherished our time together. You have my deepest sympathy and you may rest assured that the Blackhorse Regiment, Armor Branch, and the United States Army have lost one of their finest.Allons,Bill MatthewsLTC, Armor USA Retired

Jim & Shirley Horan

March 8, 2013

Steve and I served together in Germany and El Paso, 3rd ACR. Such good times! We will miss him.

Scott and Debrah Feil

March 7, 2013

To the Dubravac family,

Deb and I send our heartfelt sympathy and deepest regrets to you at this time.Steve was the XO of the 3rd ACR for about the whole three years we were stationed at Bliss (88-91). He was a mentor, friend, and confidant. I was the 1st Sqdn XO (88-89)on that last REFORGER and one NTC rotation and was the Regimental S-3 (89-91)for another NTC rotation, III Corps deployments and exercises in CA, CO, TX and Europe, and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Steve was the one constant in the Regiment -- a rock. The leaders and troopers owe an immense debt to Steve for his tireless efforts to make the Regiment the best-equipped, trained and led outfit in the Army. Many times I saw him bring to bear broad knowledge of Army systems and minute details about how to get things done -- the right way. He went toe-to-toe with NTC observer controllers about staff and TOC functions and knew as much or more than they did. Unbelievable sense of humor, deepest possible loyalty to troopers and families, and the go to guy for Army and life lessons. Devoted all his energy and sacrificed a tremendous amount for the unit and the Army.For me, the time in 3rd ACR working with Steve was a highlight of my career. Debrah, as an Army Nurse, also felt blessed by Steve's dedication to soldiers and families, especially on deployments. While he was focused on the Regiment in the field, he stayed in close contact with families and the support system to make sure that the Army took care of all.We will miss him deeply.

John Power

March 5, 2013

To: The DuBravac familyI only had the opportunity to know Stephen for a couple of years at the New Mexico Military Institute, but Steve was one "Old Cadet" you would remember in many ways. He was very well known within the Corps, and when I heard of his passing it hit me hard; he will be missed by me and so many more. We both served in Vietnam at the same time (1970 for me), and I was an Infantry Officer. His career says everything that need be said of him, his work ethic and willingness to put others ahead of himself. I will miss him and wish only peace and gratitude to his family. God bless you all; Steve is home and you will see him again.

March 5, 2013

March 5, 2013

March 4, 2013

March 4, 2013

March 4, 2013

March 4, 2013

Dan Fannin

March 4, 2013

Steve was truly one of my best and dearest friends and will surely be missed. Since 1996, he and I worked together on many projects and always had fun while on the job sites in Texas, Kentucky, and the DC area. I often sought his expertise, relished his quick wit and sense of humor, and his ability to capture and express ideas with both speed and wisdom. He was blessed with a lovely family whom he loved and spoke of often. May God bless his family during this time of grief and provide the comfort that only God can provide. Sincerely, Dan R. Fannin

Rodney Smith

March 4, 2013

We just overlapped at NMMI for one year and didn't know him personally since as a rat I didn't get around much outside my own company area. It sounds like he did well for God, country and family, God Bless

Dave Ripley

March 3, 2013

I arrived in Friedberg, drew my gear, and reported to the back seat of Steve DuBravac's jeep. We took off on what would be the first of my trips to Graf. As the most recently assigned Bandit, I was immediately assigned to all range officer duties that no one else wanted. It was my first field duty in Germany, and i spent it mostly in the back seat of Steve's vehicle HQ-3A, reaping a career's worth of learning in a 5 week period from one of the sharpest training minds in the Army. Steve trained me with zeal and diligence, fully knowing at the time, that i had been selected to command Company C and be the next Blue 6. From the Bn 3 shop, he did his beat to guide me amd keep me straight, an almost impossible task. Later, as 3 Brigade asst S-3, i had the fortune to again work with Steve when he returned to Germany. I am proud to have served with him, to learn from him, and be his friend. A fine Officer, a true patriot, and a fierce friend. I will not forget him. Dave RipleyBandit Blue 6C/1-32 Armor74-78 .

Tony Buckles

March 3, 2013

There are many, shooting gallery on the Bandit Rhine River cruise, many a lunch at the Ray Barracks O Club on a Friday that would extend to Hail and Farewell when the wives would show up wondering how we beat them to the club, "junking" in the blue VW bus, the "exchange" with the VII Corps Arty unit at Graf O Club the night after all 17 achievement, putting a train set together on Christmas eve for Steven and Stayc and trying to find a large transformer to get to run, Mother DuBravac's visits to Germany, the bumper car incident at Kurchienthumbach, the follow on exchange with the British Transportation unit and the aftermath on the day of Ed Kelly's assumption of command, Stubby requesting a road clearance number from 3AD for the movement of the Bn XO, Vallo Trumays, from Bandit HQ up the hill to 3d Bde HQ....so many wonderful memories. I will forever cherish my friendship with the DuBravac family. All of you know what a wonderful man Steve was. He and Aleithe showed Nancy and I what a wonderful family the Army could be and were our model of the way to get it right. I will always remember my birthday buddy and the times we spent together. See you at Fiddler's Green! Tony and Nancy

March 3, 2013

March 3, 2013

Gary Cool

March 2, 2013

I was one of the "Bandits" that served under his Command of C Company, 1-32 Armor Regiment. His leadership,influence ,guidance & advice made a positive impact on me not only when I was a young Soldier,but throughout my Civilian life as well. I will always be thankful for that.We will all miss him.

March 2, 2013

Dear Family I am so very sorry for your loss. I served under Captain DuBravac (I still call him Captain out of respect.) in 1973 as his Company Clerk. I respected him as an Officer and a Gentleman and also a friend.I will remember him as one who served his Country well and was a true Patriot. "Bandits Forever" Richard C. Babb ( Whitsett, NC)

Donnie Mays

March 2, 2013

To the family of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen E. DuBravac, United States Army Retired,

He was and will always be my commander, I served under his command of Company C, 1st Battalion, 32d Armor Battalion (BANDITS) in the 70's. Over the years I have never forgotten him. He related to his soldiers by his command presence, his sense of humor also endeared him to his men. In some cases he took on the role of a foster father-figure for some of the soldiers he commanded. He will always be remembered as an outstanding and inspiring leader and friend.I had the privilege to reconnect and make face-to-face contact with him in 2007. We continued to have email and face book conversations over the years since.

I remember one particular field training exercise at Hohenfels, Germany; Captain Dubravac had been summoned to the Battalion Command Post for a daily staff meeting. While he was away, the Company had to change locations and were not in the same location when he returned later that night. As was required, we (his company) had to monitor all communications and enforce radio silence.As Captain Dubravac returned he could not locate his company. He began to make radio calls in order to rejoin the company. As I recall, no was responding to his radio calls. From an obviously irritated commander, he was finally able to get a reply when he made the following radio call; “Blue 5, Blue 7, Blue 10, or any Blue element, this is Blue 6; Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe, can anyone hear my radio?” To which he was bombarded with radio responses from several elements of his company and he was directed to our location.

He will be missed, America has lost another great leader and is a lesser place without him.

God Speed and rest easy soldier, your service is appreciated.

Joe Wieland

March 2, 2013

I served under Steve's command with the "Bandits" of Co, C 1/32 Armor.

He was a fine officer, and an outstanding leader. We would have followed him anywhere.

“In time, even death itself might be abolished; who knows but it may be given to us after this life to meet again in the old quarters, to play chess and draughts, to get up soon to answer the morning role call, to fall in at the tap of the drum for drill and dress parade, and again to hastily don our war gear while the monotonous patter of the long roll summons to battle.

Who knows but again the old flags, ragged and torn, snapping in the wind, may face each other and flutter, pursuing and pursued, while the cries of victory fill a summer day? And after the battle, then all will meet together under the two flags, all sound and well, and there will be talking and laughter and cheers, and all will say, Did it not seem real? Was it not as in the old days?”

– Private Barry Benson, Army of Northern Virginia, 1880

Nancy [Bowen] Tadie

March 2, 2013

To Stephen's family: The news of Cousin Stephen's passing made me sad. Two decades ago, through someone wanting info on Dubravacs, we renewedties, and he helped inspire me to write a booklet on our grandparents and their posterity [now available at the BYU library]. I shall be forever grateful for his contributions, interests, and fascinating stories about the past. Though I knew he had impressive accomplishments himself, he preferred to talk instead about his family and how proud he was of them. His emails were filled with great love for both family and country. I will miss his intriguing tales, sharp wit, and kindly courtesy in responding to my queries. [Stephen, I wouldn't have thought you'd beat me home, but now I look forward to "jetting up" and seeing you again sometime soon, along with all the others we knew, loved, lost, but preserved in print. Thanks!]

This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. With over 2,000 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 300,000 families a year.